Applying makeup is an acquired skill, and if you never went out of your way to learn, you’re probably in the dark on exactly how to wield the tools to transform your face. While concealer can be great for covering up dark circles and blemishes, there is a right and wrong way to apply it, starting with the shade of your product and ending in technique and placement. If you struggle with knowing how and where to apply your concealer, here are our top tricks for making your skin look flawless–makeup artist approved!
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Master Color Correction
Color correcting concealers work with the undertones of your skin to offset the shade you’re trying to mask. Makeup artist Mary Irwin explains, “Learning how to neutralize issues instead of just covering them up means you end up using less product, and it looks more natural than a ton of concealer. Think peachy orange under the eyes for darkness, green for redness, yellow for dullness. This can work so well if you do it before foundation--sometimes you don’t need concealer at all! It’s all about taking each thing you’re covering up into consideration.” Next time you’re tempted to cake on concealer to hide those under-eye bags, turn to a color correcting pigment to save some product and make your complexion look even more flawless.
Outline Your Lips
Think concealer is only for under-eye bags and blemishes? Think again! Irwin lets us in on a little known makeup artist secret--try using concealer to line your lips before you apply lipstick. She says, “If you’re doing a super strong lip (think bold and red) and you want to make the lip line as crisp as possible, dip a clean lip brush in concealer that matches your skin tone, and outline your lips. This keeps lipstick from running, and gives a crisp outline to the lip without visually appearing too dramatic.”
There’s nothing more frustrating than taking your time to apply a gorgeous lip, only to have it smear out of the lines as soon as you leave the house, so turn to concealer to lock in the pigment and create a cleaner template for your lips.
Bye Bye, Acne!
Concealer is practically built for hiding acne, but there is a method to it which will ensure the best coverage. Irwin explains, “I put foundation on first, then very carefully, using a concealer brush, I dot pressed powder that’s slightly lighter than your skin color directly ON the spot, not around it. Then, I take a thick, harder textured concealer like Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, and using a teeny tiny pointed brush, I paint thin layers OVER the powdered acne spot. The powder gives the concealer something to stick to since acne spots can be super oily, and it can have the effect of color correcting before concealing. There will always be times where you just need to put a ton of concealer on because it’s easier, but if it's a spot that nothing wants to stick to, that trick can make a huge difference.”
Applying makeup is an art, and that’s why it’s important to turn to the professionals when you’re looking to improve your skill and pick up a few new tricks for using your favorite products to your advantage. While you could still simply apply concealer under your eyes or dot it directly onto blemishes and call it a day, why settle for anything less than the best in your beauty routine? Soon your friends will be looking to you as the guru of the group with your flawless makeup that puts the Sephora counter to shame.
